Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 18: Security forces today launched massive operation in Handwara area and adjacent forests of North Kashmir’s of Kupwara district after reports about presence of militants.
The 30 and 32 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Army and Handwara Police cordoned off Gundkalan area of Kralgund in Handwara early today.
Sources said that they had information about presence of a group of militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in the area. However, during the house to house searches, no militant was found.
Security forces also conducted searches in the forests in Gundkalan Kralgund area as they suspect that the militants might have fled to nearby forest area. However, in the evening operation was suspended but the security forces are keeping a close eye on the area to monitor the movement of these militants.
In the meantime, sources said that the Police is receiving inputs about presence of militants from various area of Srinagar city. And sources said that in this connection one person was arrested from Dalgate area of Srinagar today. However, it was not immediately known whether the person is a militant or Over Ground Worker (OGW). He is being questioned by the security forces.
Sources said that of late militants have established a strong network in Srinagar and they are trying to conduct strikes in the city. However, the security forces are continuously putting pressure on them but so far they have not been able to break their network.
Earlier, there was no presence of militants in Srinagar and they were using it as transit only. But of late as the pressure on militants in South and North Kashmir increased they have established network in Srinagar especially old city area.
Sources said that there is sizable presence of militants inside Srinagar which is a major challenge for the security forces.
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